Smart Goals Aren’t Always Smart

I’m launching my first book on June 1st, and we’ll be releasing social media content to build excitement. As newsletter readers, you’ll be the first to hear the updates. I briefly considered the gold standard of personal and professional attainment, SMART goals, as guidance for my hopes, dreams, and prayers going forward.

I quickly discarded them.

I don’t think SMART goals are wrong, I just don’t think they lend themselves to testimonies of God’s greatness in our lives. The very nature of SMART goals works in opposition to miracles, particularly when we pair our hopes and dreams with prayer.

“S” stands for specific. I’ll be honest. I’m not sure what to pray for once my book is released. I want more opportunities to write, speak, and teach, but who am I to limit the impact God might want to have on the earth with my content? Therefore we pray, “Thy will be done.” His. Not ours. Yes, we should take our specific requests to our Father, but we should allow His imagination to run wild with outcomes.

“M” stands for measurable. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” God’s math is better than mine. Why limit Him to our systems of measurement? I want my book to impact as many lives, churches, and communities. Is a good number 2 or 2000? I don’t know. I’d might as well do toilet paper math.

“A” is “Attainable.” If it were attainable in my own power, I wouldn’t need God. Our goals and prayers shouldn’t be irrational, but God can help us reach stars we can’t see. I’m giving Him free rein to take things as far as He likes.

“R” stands for either relevant or reasonable. I’ll concur I can get behind a good “R for Relevant.” We should aim to achieve in ways that are in alignment with God’s design for our lives. For example, I don’t expect Him to get behind my desire to take a 2-hour nap at work every day, but I think the material in my book fits a need in the Body of Christ.

“T” stands for timely. Ouch. Have you ever prayed for something that took way too long for your level of patience, only to find the delay brought about a better outcome? Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” God’s timing is seldom on our clock.

SMART goals may be great for improving test scores or sales, but I don’t think they’re very Biblical. Was it reasonable for Adam to believe he’d be the father of many nations when his wife was barren? Was it attainable that a shepherd boy would become king? Jesus won’t return until God says it’s time, no matter how disgusted we may become with the state of the world today.

I’ve decided on a different route. I’m going to pray for guidance daily and trust the Lord to lead me to the next step, knowing I can’t control outcomes. Those are His domain.

I’m going to dream big, trusting Him to dream bigger.

If my efforts are a total failure?

He’ll be there for it, holding my hand as we pick up the pieces and move on.

Either way, we’re going to have a great story to tell.

Buckle your seatbelts.